S&W revolvers at gun shows?

[Bald1]

Ben, you are really complicating things.

 

[Truckman]

Ben, you are really complicating things.

Complications is what I do......Ben

 

[bananaman]

I bought or traded into good deals in local gun show near me. In Michigan, have found nothing worth buying. {big show} Went to sell a 66-2 snub and dealer wanted to give me $600 for it. Left with it. Have seen used handguns HIGHER than new! Good luck with your quest! Bob

 

[22hipower]

Good advice from others and I'll offer a couple ideas that have worked for me. . . .sometimes. At the big shows, walk them backwards. What I mean is that most folks will come through the door and turn right up the first line of tables. Knowing that, the guys that have tables at every show will set up along that route looking to buy from the guy who just came in carrying something. These tables may have items you like/want but the chances are there will be no deals, these guys are pros. . . or at least like to think they are. The collector, occasional seller, who decided to move a few but doesn't set up often will get a table somewhere further away from the entrance, often far away. Which is why I walk the show "backwards" turning left on entry and going to the farthest away and least desirable area first. If you're early to the show you'll be the first one looking at many of those items.

Second thought is that gun shows are like that box of chocolates, you never know what you'll get. Looking for a specific model is ok but you're going to overlook a lot of other stuff in the process. I skip the plastic autos and black rifles but that guy who doesn't set up often may have brought some hidden treasures if you stop to chat and admire what he has.

Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[jem102]

I have been to quite a few shows in East TN over the years. You will find them to be haphazard affairs with everything from wine making kits to a mint .458 Mag Winchester M70 Tropical grade in the box.



Be sure to look the tables over well. It is not uncommon for someone with a table full of beat to pieces military guns to have a 2.5", M19-2 with box and docs and not a mark on it sitting at the back on top of a pile of zip up gun cases with no tag on it. Don't be pushy, Tennessee folks like to chat so ask if it's for sale and if so "can I take a look at it please?". If it's nice tell him so. Most of these guys know what they have and usually been packing that revolver from show to show for several years and don't mind taking the gun to the next one. From my dealings in the area they appreciate the honest appraisal. This has always opened the door for negotiations for me. "I" begin with, "what would you like to have for it?" and take it from there.


As stated by others cash is king! Always be polite and say Thank You even if you don't buy. If you start attending area shows regularly you will get to be known and what you are looking for.



This has worked for me in TN over the last 30 years at shows. I wish you the best of luck as there are some very nice S&W's in the area at decent prices.

 

[Jack Flash]

...
As of December 2023 I owned zero firearms.
In July, all being well, I’ll have 12 SW revolvers.
All pinned.
... Oh yes, pinned and recessed.

…

You must have really deep pockets. May I ask "What's the hurry?"

I used to go to a lot of gun shows and make the rounds of all the local gun shops and would buy any gun that interested me if I considered it to be a good deal. But my word, I never bought 12 guns in 7 months.

Again, "What's the hurry?" You have a whole lifetime to buy guns, and shopping can be a large part of the fun.

 

[cmansguns]

Cash...Cash...Cash...watch out for CC troubles

There are probably more sellers that are good honest folk just selling their wares, be it guns, gear or jerky and Chinese junk, than "problem" sellers but around here the shows seem to be a mixed lot.

I strongly agree that Cash is King. A lot of vendors have those tiny little palm held credit card swipers. DO NOT hand your card to one of those! If they hand you the swiper to let you self-swipe it may be OK, but if they can see your CCV on the back..you are wide open to charges against the card, even days later.

We usually have floating off-duty cops looking for scammers, and such but if the show has a lot of tables and is busy, busy then trouble abounds sometimes. Then there are the sellers "boosters" (buddies just waiting for you to pick up that gun and then elbow in to express a sudden high interest).

Keep a good handle on your wallet too...The $100 Bennies are the best, with a couple Grants thrown in...but pickpockets are just as good as they were in the old days and I have experienced a lot of jostling at local shows. I usually carry my cash in a bikers/truckers wallet, zip closure, chain to my jeans, IWB appendix carry. Looks stupid but works for me.

I'm not trying to sour anyone on local shows as I have found some good guns. My rules work for me at estate auctions too where the crowd is entirely different but still a mixture of humanity.

Enjoy the show, be careful, don't linger at the jerky stand, eat a decent breakfast/lunch before you go in and here's hoping you find that 29-2 Dirty Harry for $1,000 or less.

 

[Hair Trigger]

Hint: If you find something you really, really like and want to buy it, hang onto it and don't lay it back down on the table. Someone else can then pick it up and buy it.

I've done that, and I've also waited until I could see the other tables. I missed out on a couple I wanted by waiting, but I also found a couple I'd rather have had anyway.

Gun shows can be a good place, they can also cost you. If you get there early, there's more selections, but the dealers are less willing to bargain. If you see something you really like, you can take the chance it will still be there near the end of the show and get a better deal maybe. If you feel it's a gun that's popular and won't be there later, maybe you get it early but pay more.

I passed on a really nice .38/44 HD that looked like it rolled off the line the day before, box, papers, the works and what I thought was an excellent price (don't remember now how old it was). I wasn't really looking for one, but thought I'd grab it if I didn't see something I was really looking for. While wandering around, I found a .40S&W BHP sitting in a display case full of pocket knives and Saturday Night Specials. It was really dirty, but I had been looking for a .40 version, so I picked it up and it cleaned up like new later. I would have missed it had I bought the .38/44. It was gone when I walked back by the table I'd seen it at.

The show that comes through my town every few months has a dealer who always has some nice S&W stuff, I've bought at least four from him over the years, and I always head for his table first when I go. His prices aren't always the best, but the guns are always high quality, I got my ANIB M27-2 from him presentation case and all the trimmings. It's probably the cleanest revolver I have.

 

[BB4XL]

Mostly Glocks and ARs lately around here. A lot of great advice here. Watch your wallet or wherever you carry cash and C cards.
Usually you will see a fair amount of revolvers. Check out Utube vids on buying a used gun. Have fun and Good luck.

 

[H Richard]

I recommend having a shoulder bag, and carry a water bottle, (brought with you not bought for $3.00 at the show). You often will buy small parts, tools, magazines, ammo, etc, and that shoulder bag can carry it all.

 

[Hawg Rider]

I frequently visit one or two local gun shows, and they have been productive on occasion. Sometimes I find what I'm looking for, but many times I walk out empty handed. That's the way it goes! Here's my strategy:
1.) As others have said, bring lots of CASH...you don't want to mess with credit cards or multiple ATMs! Cash talks and it can be your friend when haggling.
2.) I always walk the entire show before purchasing anything. I may handle a firearm that I'm interested in along the way, but I want to be sure that I don't spend my cash buying something and then find something better a few minutes later. Don't be afraid to talk with sellers about any guns you may be interested in...they like to talk!
3.) There are often sellers who do specialize in vintage revolvers and may have a great selection of nice guns on their tables. But those guys are very aware of values, so be prepared to pay top dollar.
4.) Always make sure to thoroughly check out tables saying "Private Sale" or "Consignment Sale", and tables set up by local pawn shops. You can often find some hidden gems at fair prices.
5.) I usually go the the shows on a Sunday, hoping that the sellers may be willing to accept lower offers to offload some inventory. Then again, I may miss out on some nice firearms that sold on Saturday. But I've discovered that most of the real deals and nice guns are actually exchanged between dealers during setup on Fridays!
6.) Don't feel pressured to buy something at the show if your gut says no. Leaving without spending a chunk of dough is OK.
7.) If you're leaving the show without buying a certain gun that you were really interested in, make sure to get your hand stamped on the way out just in case you change your mind. There has been a time or two when I got halfway home, decided that I really did want that gun, and went back to the show and bought it.
Good luck with your first gun show adventure! Enjoy!

 

[cd228]

Have a list of what you are intrested in. Then take that list and check the local gun shops and gun broker to get an idea of what the going prices are. Then refine your list so that you have an idea what you would actually buy, condition, variant and price. Also look at your ammo supply and prices, you may find a deal at the show or more likely a hard to find round or caliber for $$$.

I like to make a first pass through with my hands in my pockets and identify the vendors that might have what I am interested in. Then I'll circle back, that way I have an idea what's there and what the prices are.

Watch the other folks at the show and see what the local customs are. I've been to gun shows in NY, TX, GA, KY, TN, etc. They are all a little different.

However, always be polite and respectful of everyone's time and products, it's not a petting zoo.

Also, ask for a business card or contact info if you like a vendor. Sometimes you can contact them if you want to buy something they had or ask if they can get something.

Remember, you don't have to buy anything.

 

[Model29-26.5]

You must have really deep pockets. May I ask "What's the hurry?"

I used to go to a lot of gun shows and make the rounds of all the local gun shops and would buy any gun that interested me if I considered it to be a good deal. But my word, I never bought 12 guns in 7 months.

Again, "What's the hurry?" You have a whole lifetime to buy guns, and shopping can be a large part of the fun.

I hear ya.
There is really no hurry, but I got a little addicted to GB.
Saw things I couldn’t pass up and got them at prices that
from what I was seeing were good deals.
Just started collecting at 52, being from England and moving here in 2000 I just wasn’t a gun guy, as it’s generally not legal and just not part of the culture, but I had a thing for the SW’s.
Things have been going fairly well work wise and I had some spenders. I wouldn’t say I have deep pockets. It’s not like collecting musical instruments or cars, but it can add up for sure.
I’ve see myself a limit of 20… soft 20. Hard 25.
…. Solid steel 30…
I know what I’m after specifically, but I can see that a 29 is not just 29.. it’s a 629, 8” 6” 29 nickel 6.5… 4”… 8 3/8 etc.
It can go on an on and get bad, but at least they going to be worth pretty much what you paid if taken care of and you have the right buyer.
Much like musical instruments which I know way more about.
It’s just a new fresh thing for this Middle Aged guy and I’m learning a lot and having a ton of fun with it.
Safety first though. I need train myself into stock habits until it’s natural.
Whole new world for me. 12 in 6 months is crazy I know, but I’ll be down to a crawl now. Only a couple I want in particular that are common on GB. Just want the right price and wouldn’t mind checking out a gun show before getting yet another on GB.
Then it might just be upgrades to collector quality or a few of the same thing.
The different wood stocks can certainly set the look if they look great.
That’s my story anyway.
Im not into AR’s, autos, Uzis, or much anything other than Smith revolvers.
Might get a Cimnaron Uberti Tuco, though. Eli Wallach played my favorite character in the movies. Big bandit 45 Colt gun.
Maybe a Colt 45 ACP at some point as it is an historic classic.
Maybe a Colt SAA.. reproduction, but as far as aesthetics, nothing beats a SW for my tastes.

 

[Drm50]

Gun shows aren’t what they use to be. They were put on by gun people for gun people. Good and reasonable deals were expected. Then ATF made it legal for FFLs to sell at shows, ala cell phone instant checks. This put the screws to gun shows and brought out the Charlatans. Promoters, started cranking door and table prices. Table prices ran off a lot of guys who had a little bit of stuff, with expense they couldn’t break even. Then because the prices were jacked and little gun guys ran off the promoters started selling
tables to the Flea Market crowd, Jerry and jelly salesman and the late night
Chinese knife hawkers. That’s 50% tables, what’s left after that is another 40% of black guns and other “tactical”type firearms. Last show I went to I bought tables and I had more revolvers than whole show, not counting the hundreds of new Rough Riders. Classic/ vintage rifles were very thin. The only decent deals I saw were classic era shotguns. The market for them is soft and 2/3rds to 1/2 of average price online.
Was at open air Trade Days last year. I hadn’t bought a thing and was on way out. Walked past guy who had a Stevens SxS shooter, nothing special.
Not priced, I ask price, guy said he was looking for $700. Told him if I wasnt expected home for supper I would stay and help him look. That’s where things are at. Always have people telling me they found Xgun at a show. After they tell me what they paid what I had already surmised was true. They didn’t find it because it was never lost. I been on both sides of the table for many years and have watched shows go down hill. They have changed from gun people to people with guns, if you know what I mean.

 

[Truckman]

There is really no hurry, but I got a little addicted to GB.I’ve see myself a limit of 20… soft 20. Hard 25.
…. Solid steel 30…

Yeah, right...When I accumulated 50, I wondered if anyone could ever be dumb enough to want more...Soooo - by the time my count got to 90, I thought OK, I'll set an absolute limit of 100...Today's count is 117 plus two carry guns and a project gun...That number will hold until FedEx gets to my FFL Tuesday...

No wait, there's a gun show this weekend!......Ben

 

[Model29-26.5]

Yeah, right...When I accumulated 50, I wondered if anyone could ever be dumb enough to want more...Soooo - by the time my count got to 90, I thought OK, I'll set an absolute limit of 100...Today's count is 117 plus two carry guns and a project gun...That number will hold until FedEx gets to my FFL Tuesday...

No wait, there's a gun show this weekend!......Ben

Glad to hear this!
It means I’ll be wanting more.
My wife can sell them when I’m gone though.
That’s all this really is. An investment. For my wife, you know, so she’s taken care of when I’m gone.
Yes. That’s what it is.
Absolutely.

 

[Retired W4]

Don't hesitate to make reasonable offers. The worst I can say is no.

 

[44wheelman]

Be patient, go slow, look around: Once bought a S&W 1917 with pre war magna's, (grips were worth as much as the gun.) It was sitting on a pile of gun rugs, and he said he just never got to setting it out.

Be thorough: bulged barrels, refinished guns, cold blue touch-ups, out of time...easy to miss when you are excited about a cheap price, and gun show lighting is usually pretty bad.

To good to be true: once bought a M28 for a really good price from someone walking around. The packmayers had a hex head screw holding them on. I carry a small screwdriver to check blueing under grips, but not a complete tool kit. When I got home, I found the s/n had been ground off.

 

[BC38]

Good deals can be had at gun shows. They are just fewer and farther between.

A recent show outside Jacksonville, i walked out with a nice 38 M&P Target, and a decent nickel 38 M&P square butt snub for a combined $825.

I keep going, and usually walk away empty handed, but I keep going.

I'd do that deal for sure. I haven't found a good buy on any guns in a couple of years, but I pretty much always find something that's a good deal. Reloading components, grips, holsters, etc...

But even if I don't find anything, I get a couple of hours entertainment looking at the stuff on the tables and rubbing elbows with like-minded people.

Probably the biggest reason I won't stop going is I want to support the gunshows so they don't go the way of drive-in movies and disappear. Just the fact that the the anti-gun crowd hates them so much is reason enough to support them IMO.

 

[Truckman]

Don't hesitate to make reasonable offers. The worst I can say is no.

I say "no" a lot...Maybe more than I should......Ben

EDIT: Danged sideways camera...